Jon over at Happy Mundane consistently locates those hidden gems, often from his many trips to Kmart, Target, Macy’s, Michael’s, and beyond. This is one man obsessed with shopping and decorating, but even more so with scoring a budget find. I think Jon is that guy friend we all need to have, the one with impeccable taste who is not afraid to hunt for bargains because he doesn’t need expensive things to feel like some hip hot shot. Jon recognizes that some really great finds exist that don’t require going in debt for. Of course, he has expensive taste and craves the finer things just like the rest of us, but he’s careful to show balance, one of many traits that I really respect about this talented man.

Here are a few cool things that Jon wrote about recently that I fell in love with, the first being this Anthropologie-like plastic cuckoo clock for only $15 at Walmart. Don’t like black? Slap some primer on it and paint it your favorite color. How hard is that?

And this crazy cool bookcase. Looks like a DIY project if you happen to have two spare coffee tables, or you can simply purchase this one for around $525 from Umbra. This is great for a hallway, a nice solution to your standard console table. It has some definite ‘tude going on.

And finally, Lauren Saunders, whom I’m seeing everywhere lately. And her tactile pillows appeal to me because they remind me of a landscape painting – a canyon or the colors of desert sand, they have a very western America look – like I can see these in Western Interiors magazine in some gorgeous mountain home in Boulder. I love the two shown below on Lauren’s lap, and the other two on that modern blue sofa.

Now back to making Jon blush. Jon lives in the O.C. (not the show, the county) and since most of us don’t, we have to buddy with him solely through the entries on his blog, Happy Mundane. This is why I love the internet, we have so many opportunities to mingle with creative + stylish people without leaving our desk. I remember years ago when all I had was my circle of friends, family, or a few (bad) magazines and mediocre books to look to for inspiration. Nowadays, with a bevy of design blogs and delicious magazines (both print and online), one never needs to suffer a design rut. There is so much out there to learn from and so many pools of inspiration to tap into.

(images from sources mentioned above)

http://www.decor8.blogspot.com

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

As hard as I try to like them, I really have issues with double spring wire plate hangers, especially since one just left a crack in my Lena Corwin plate. So I’ve been on the hunt for something that won’t scratch or crack my precious Lena melamine and I found a solution that really works for me.

Did you know that adhesive plate discs exist? They stick to the back of your plates and when installed, no hook or holder is visible. Perfect! They’re imported from England and available at your local A.C. Moore for $3.99 each, where I purchased mine yesterday. What happens in the future when you want to remove them? Just soak the plates in warm water and the disc loosens and you can simply peel it off. They come in all sizes, can be trimmed to fit, and the larger disc can support a 6.5 lb plate.

Since the instructions on both the disc and the web do not make mention of using them on melamine, I decided to experiment with things myself to see if the disc would stick to a plastic plate. After allowing the glue to dry overnight, the discs are bonded to the plate and I have no concerns about them separating. Of course, I also used clear duct tape over the disc to secure them, just in case the disc adhesive isn’t enough.

You simply wet the disc and rub the glue around with your finger.

Then you position it on the back of your plate. Next use CLEAR duct tape and secure over the disc and plate on the back. Wait 24 hours and you’re done. You can hang them on your wall.

I think these discs answer a question I’ve had since viewing this image in Living Etc. ages ago – how did they install them? It looks like some have wire holders, others do not. The image isn’t clear enough for me to see. But I know this for sure, I would prefer to do things my way – no visible holders. And though I can’t be sure, I’m thinking it would be easy with these disc plate holders and a few tiny wood blocks (from the craft store) in varying heights painted the same color as your walls, screwed into the wall, for the lovely three dimensional effect.

Michelle recently blogged about her visit to the Barnsdall Art Market in Los Angeles where she discovered some fresh and amazing talent, like Emilyn Eto and her gorgeous textiles.

Emilyn, or Em, is the lady that blogs over at It’s(K)not Wood with Jon. Em sells her work through her website and etsy store called Supercozy. She creates the most gorgeous textile wall hangings and faux bois artwork, the lady is a creative powerhouse. I love all the prints and vintage finds on etsy, but I hope to see more and more textiles because I’m always looking for new ones to use and sometimes tire of all the typical big names out there in the design showrooms.

Tyler Bender, another craft rock star rumored to be both talented and quite the eye candy (we so need more hot boys at craft fairs!) is another one of Michelle’s picks. He makes cool journals with vintage book covers. Anthropologie should totally scoop them up, they’d be perfect for their Fall ’08 (Back to School) collections, hint hint Anthro people…

Michelle suggests checking out Brokesy Attack Pillows, they have an etsy store where these cute little critter pillows sell for around $110- each.

If you’d like to see more indie artists discovered by Ms. Caplan herself, head on over to Creative Swoon. If you missed the Barnsdall Art Market a few weeks back, no worries – there are two more being held this year on October 21st and December 16th in L.A.

(images from everyone mentioned above)

http://www.decor8.blogspot.com

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Julien Pacaud is a French illustrator living in Paris and this print, “Memories of Tomorrow” in Julien’s etsy shop makes me totally weak. I completely love this work, it’s something I most definitely would own the original of if I could somehow get my hands on it. It inspires me so much, it’s like when I look at it I am forced to slow now and really ponder life and what it all means to me. I wonder what you think when you look at this?

Something about it is so strong yet really vulnerable, and I like the melancholy emotion, which somewhat describes how I’ve been feeling this week. You can learn more about Julien’s works here. I can’t say I connect to all of the work, but Memories of Tomorrow is simply gorgeous.

(image from julien pacaud)

http://www.decor8.blogspot.com

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Courtney Prahl has beautiful work available in her etsy store, her focus always on trees and houses, both with special meaning to her. Courtney believes that trees are like people, unique and one-of-a-kind, each with their own story to tell.

Houses on the other hand are symbolic of home. “Home is anything — a place, people, a mountain or even a house,” Courtney continues, “It gives you peace and it is where you know who you are without judgment.” Well said! I enjoy how well she uses various papers and colors, and I like to examine her paintings — so many intricate details! I especially like the composition, as I’m trying to learn this for my own paintings and realize that it takes time to get it right. In addition to her prints and things, she has a few very affordable originals on canvas for only $15, like this painting below. A great start for the budding art collector.

Lovely work, Ms. Courtney!

(images from courtney prahl)

http://www.decor8.blogspot.com

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Nymolle Art Patience Hoyrup – say that in one breathe! I just love little scenes of European villages, so when Gosia sent me her shop updates recently, I had to buy this Nymolle Art Patience Hoyrup cup and saucer. I knew nothing about the origin of this set…

Then Sia told me that she recently purchased the same set after hearing about it over on Leslie’s beautifulblog. Suddenly, thanks to fellow bloggers, I’ve learned so much more about my new little cup and saucer from Gosia.

Tip: If you love this pattern, a simple search for “Nymolle Art Patience Hoyrup” on ebay will yield TONS of beautiful vintage Danish ceramics, so have fun looking for some Nymolle of your own. It’s all so lovely, great patterns, totally sweet for tea and cookies on a rainy afternoon like today. I just won a buy it now auction over at eBay and now have a second set to accompany the one I paid $24 for at Gosia’s wonderful shop. This time, I won the set for $9, so I’m thrilled and have hopes that I can perhaps complete my collection (I’m hoping to have 4-6 of each) with the help of eBay. It’s so pretty!

(update: I just completed my set of 4 on ebay, I found some buy it now auctions, so I purchased 3 sets for $20! There are more buy it now auctions on these, so scoop them up quickly!)

(images from gosia)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

About

I’m Holly Becker, and I work as a journalist, author and interior stylist with a 4th book soon to release this September. On decor8, I share decorating ideas, trends and beautiful objects and places - those extra special finds, often made by hand, things that tell a story. I'm lucky enough to travel frequently so I record my many adventures here, too. Together with my small team, we present daily content to enlighten and inspire. Welcome and happy decor8ing!

Monthly Sponsor

Categories

Popular Posts

NEW! #Inspire me

November 4-28, 2016. This NEW FORMAT (most lessons are taught in video or via podcast, live stream or screencast) for our mighty and magical INSPIRE ME 3 week e-course is just want you need for encouragement, inspiration and loads of positive thinking, tips and ideas.

Meant for small business owners, bloggers and others using social media platforms to build connections, this class is all about emerging from hard time and creative ruts better and more power-filled than ever.